This is a new revelation that could be a bit too premature. I thought because Ray's declining play and injury that an inside linebacker early in the draft was a must.

Someone like a kevin minter or skov, but now I have faith in Danell and Josh Bynes who have played well in the last two games together. Josh has impressed since Denver in my eyes, and I believe the organization still thinks McClain will come back stronger next year.

Yeah, since Ellerbe's been stepping up I'm tentatively comfortable with McClain and Dannel starting next year if Ray leaves - at least inasmuch as we need so many other things to focus on. If a Manti Teo falls to us then obviously we jump on that, but there doesn't look to be a need to trade up for him anymore.

We need a new stud defensive linemen. That's where it starts. Ellerbe is playing great and McClain is serviceable already. Not getting pushed around up front will make much more of a difference than getting a new linebacker.

Wide Receiver, Running back, Linebacker, safety, even in some cases corner are all positions you can get later in the draft if you invest in the trenches. A solid offensive line will make a 7th round back look unstoppable and make a QB look sharp (think Tony Romo circa 2007). A solid pass rush will force QBs to make bad decisions.

So my answer is don't go after a linebacker in the first round, build up the trenches!